Compuware workers' reactions are mixed

Freep.com

Rumors persisted for months -- and company officials denied them -- that Compuware Chief Executive Officer Peter Karmanos was going to hire former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. News of the hiring -- days after Kilpatrick finished serving 99 days in jail for felony perjury in the text message scandal -- surprised even Compuware insiders on Thursday.

 … Kilpatrick's hiring doesn't violate any laws or corporate governance practices. But it could cause some customers to stop doing business with Compuware and spur talented employees to leave, said Paul Lapides, director of Kennesaw State University's Corporate Governance Center.

"Some customers are going to say, 'I can buy my software from another company,' " he said. "People vote with their dollars in business."